City receives poor marks in check-up
Recent state health study finds problems with health care, socioeconomic factors
By Christopher Placek
Milwaukee has one of the worst bills of health in Wisconsin, according to a recent health study by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
The study ranked Milwaukee 72nd out of 73 areas in the state — 72 counties and the city of Milwaukee — in two categories.
The reasons for the ranking are more than residents consuming too much beer and too many brats. Researchers say several factors, like health care, health behaviors, socioeconomic factors and physical environment, play a part in the health of a community.
Milwaukee ranked second-to-last in the two categories: health outcomes and health determinants. Only Menominee County in northeastern Wisconsin was worse, according to the study's results.
Meanwhile, nearby Ozaukee County and Waukesha County ranked first and second, respectively, in both categories for best health in the state.
"I would say that's as great a contrast as one sees in the state as in the nation," said Patrick Remington, director of the UW Population Health Institute and professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
But Remington also said even the best performing counties in Wisconsin still do not have ideal health conditions.
The study reported a low ranking for the city's health outcomes, comprised of mortality and general health status. Researchers use a measure indicating years of potential life lost to determine mortality. Milwaukee ranked 72 in that outcome. In the general health status measure, the city ranked 71st with 19.1 percent of respondents in phone interviews reporting fair or poor health, according to the study.
"Poverty is a factor for early mortality and a life of being sick," said Marilyn Frenn, a professor in the College of Nursing.
The high poverty rate in Milwaukee could be one reason why people here are not living as long, Frenn said.
While health outcomes measure "how you feel today," health determinants look at the impact certain factors will have on one's health in the future, Remington said.
The study ranked Milwaukee 72nd out of 73 areas in the state — 72 counties and the city of Milwaukee — in two categories.
The reasons for the ranking are more than residents consuming too much beer and too many brats. Researchers say several factors, like health care, health behaviors, socioeconomic factors and physical environment, play a part in the health of a community.
Milwaukee ranked second-to-last in the two categories: health outcomes and health determinants. Only Menominee County in northeastern Wisconsin was worse, according to the study's results.
Meanwhile, nearby Ozaukee County and Waukesha County ranked first and second, respectively, in both categories for best health in the state.
"I would say that's as great a contrast as one sees in the state as in the nation," said Patrick Remington, director of the UW Population Health Institute and professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
But Remington also said even the best performing counties in Wisconsin still do not have ideal health conditions.
The study reported a low ranking for the city's health outcomes, comprised of mortality and general health status. Researchers use a measure indicating years of potential life lost to determine mortality. Milwaukee ranked 72 in that outcome. In the general health status measure, the city ranked 71st with 19.1 percent of respondents in phone interviews reporting fair or poor health, according to the study.
"Poverty is a factor for early mortality and a life of being sick," said Marilyn Frenn, a professor in the College of Nursing.
The high poverty rate in Milwaukee could be one reason why people here are not living as long, Frenn said.
While health outcomes measure "how you feel today," health determinants look at the impact certain factors will have on one's health in the future, Remington said.
Published: 12/4/07 Section: News
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